Expression of Recombinant E1 Glycoprotein of Chikungunya Virus in Baculovirus Expression System

• Main Authors: Henry Sum, Magdline Sia, Andrew, Anna, Aren Maling, Milda
• Format: E-Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hibiscus Publisher 2015
• Subjects: Q Science (General); QR Microbiology; QR180 Immunology; QR355 Virology; R Medicine (General)
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/9288/1/Expression%20of%20Recombinant%20E1%20Glycoprotein%20of%20Chikungunya%20Virus%20in%20Baculovirus%20Expression%20System%20%28abstract0.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/9288/; http://www.researchgate.net/publication/283352293_Expression_of_Recombinant_E1_Glycoprotein_of_Chikungunya_Virus_in_Baculovirus_Expression_System
• Institution: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Chikungunya is an acute febrile illness caused by chikungunya virus (CHIKV). In this study, the envelope E1 gene of CHIKV was cloned and expressed in a baculovirus system. The recombinant E1 protein with N-term 6-His residues protein was successfully expressed and purified as confirmed by SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis. The seroreactivity of the recombinant protein was evaluated in immunoassay for anti-CHIKV IgM and IgG antibodies. The recombinant antigen showed 69% sensitivity and 100% specificity for anti-CHIKV IgG by dot blot assay. Detection of anti-CHIKV IgM by dot assay showed 79% sensitivity and 100% specificity. No cross reactivity of the antigen was observed with anti-dengue virus serum samples. The results strongly support that the recombinant E1 protein has potential to be used as diagnostic antigen. The used of the antigen in a dot blot assay gives an advantage for laboratory detection without the need of any specialised equipment.